U Of H Forced To Postpone Night Soccer

August 26, 1992|By MARK PUKALO; Courant Staff Writer

Construction delays have forced the University of Hartford to postpone night soccer at Al-Marzook Field.

Although construction of the lights and other improvements are expected to be completed this year, the Hartford men's and women's soccer programs changed the times of nine games to afternoon and won't play at night until the 1993 season.

In order to receive a work permit and begin the work, the university needs a zoning variance on the height of the lights. There was no guarantee the variance would be obtained in time to allow contruction to be completed.

"From the beginning, our timetable in putting up the lights was ambitious," said Jean Kim, U of H vice president in charge of athletics. "But, without a firm date for completion of the work, we felt it was only fair to our opponents to commit to a fall schedule of game times."

In addition to the lights, the university will add bleachers, bringing the seating capacity to 2,700. The cost of the improvements will be approximately $150,000. Revenue from tickets, gifts and concessions are expected to pay for the project in five years. Ticket prices for soccer games this season: $3 for adults and $1 for students.

Southern loses Simpson Dushawne Simpson of Hartford, who led the Southern Connecticut men's soccer team in scoring as a freshman last season with 11 goals and three assists, is academically ineligible for the 1992 season.